On May 12, 2018, the President of the Republic
of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev
received the commander of United States
Central Command, General Joseph Leonard Votel, who is in Uzbekistan on a working visit.

Warmly welcoming the guest, the Head
of the state noted with deep satisfaction the dynamically developing relations
of strategic partnership and multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States, including in
political, trade-economic, investment, technological, cultural-humanitarian and
other spheres.

During the meeting, special
attention was paid to issues of cooperation in the field of security, military
and military-technical cooperation.

Current issues of countering modern
challenges and threats to stability in the region, as well as peaceful
settlement of the situation in Afghanistan
were discussed.

General J.Votel expressed deep
gratitude to the Head of the state for the warm welcome and conveyed sincere
greetings on behalf of the President of the United States of America Donald
Trump.

It was emphasized that the American
side highly appreciates and supports the results of the International
conference on Afghanistan
held at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan in March this year, in Tashkent.

It was emphasized that ensuring
peace and stability in this country opens wide opportunities for building up
regional trade and economic cooperation, implementing large infrastructure
projects in the interests of Afghanistan
and all states of the region. Following
the conversation, firm conviction was expressed that the forthcoming official
visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United States will
take the Uzbekistan – American partnership to a qualitatively new level and
will fill the mutually beneficial cooperation with concrete practical
content.

Joseph Votel: Peace in Afghanistan is our common goal Commander of
United States Central Command, General Joseph Leonard Votel, expressed his
opinion on prospects for mutually beneficial and multifaceted cooperation
between the two countries in an interview with the correspondent of UzA.

He expressed deep gratitude to
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his warm welcome. During the meeting, they
exchanged views on mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United
States, current regional problems, including the
situation in Afghanistan.

In his interview, Joseph L. Votel
noted that deeply considered and large-scale reforms of the President of
Uzbekistan, aimed at ensuring the interests of people and strengthening the
status of the country in the world deserve great recognition. Efforts of the
President are very important for the parties working with Afghanistan.
Prospects of stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan, establishing peace in
this country were also discussed.

Uzbekistan supports the work carried out by
the international coalition on settlement of the situation in Afghanistan. In
particular, Uzbekistan is
assisting in transportation of goods to Afghanistan
through the Northern distribution network, which in turn contributes to
successful actions of the United States
in Afghanistan.
This is a priority area of mutual cooperation in this field.

A branch of the National Research Technological University “MISiS” (Russia) will open in Almalyk (Tashkent region).

On 11 May, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat
Mirziyoyev signed a resolution “On organization of the branch of the Federal
State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education “National Research
Technological University
“MISiS” in Almalyk city”.

According to the resolution, the
MISiS branch will conduct training, advanced training and retraining of
specialists at all levels, including the training of scientific and pedagogical
personnel, taking into account the need for personnel.

The document said that the training
will be conducted according to the curricula and programs approved by MISIS,
taking into account the requirements of the state educational standards of Uzbekistan.

The head of Uzbekistan has
set a quota for admission to the Branch for the 2018/2019 academic year on.

The branch will accept 150 people
for the 2018/2019 academic year. In particular, 75 people will be accepted to
“Mining” direction, 50 people to “Metallurgy”, and 25 people to “Automation and
management of technological processes and industries”.

Navoi State Mining Institute in
Almalyk and Almalyk
Industrial Vocational
College will be handed
over to the branch to organize its activities, the resolution said.

Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover made up US$11.3 billion in January, including
exports - US$5.0 billion and imports - US$6.3 billion, the press service of the
State Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan
said.

The balance of foreign trade made up
minus US$1.31 billion. The export of energy carriers and petroleum products
increased by 66.2% as compared to the same period of the last year, due to
export of natural gas - by 1.9 times, chemical products and products from it -
by 7.3%, plastics and products from them - by 16.7%.

The volume of exports of food
products increased by 41.6% due to an increase in the export of fruit and
vegetable products by 41.9%.

In the structure of imports, the
major share falls on machinery and equipment - 32.5%, chemical products and products
from it - 12.3%.

The share of services in total
volume of exports was 29.6%, including 10.5% - transportation services, and
17.4% - related to travel.

In January-April 2018, the balance
of foreign trade reached minus US$1.31 billion, including with the CIS
countries - minus US$835.5 million and with other countries - minus US$475
million.

Among the CIS countries, the main
foreign trade partners were Russia,
Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine,
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which account for 28.0% of the foreign
trade turnover, among others - China,
Turkey, the Republic of Korea,
Afghanistan, Germany, Latvia,
Iran,
France, which account for 32.1% of the total foreign trade turnover.

The volume of exports of fruit and
vegetable products made up US$115.9 million in January-April 2018, or
increased, compared to the same period last year, by 41.8%. Out of the total
volume of fruit and vegetable products, the share of fruits and berries reached
17.3% (increased by 9.0% compared to the same period of the previous year),
vegetables - 65.6% (59.4%), grapes - 13% (by 3.4%).

In the export of fruit and vegetable
products, the main partners were Kazakhstan
(out of a total of 35.4%), Russia
(13.3%), Afghanistan
(12.5%), Vietnam (6.7%), China (5.9%), Turkey
(5.2%), Kyrgyzstan (2.5%), Pakistan (2.3%) and Iran (2.0%).

As a result, the share of exports of
fruit and vegetable products in total volume made up 3.1% in January-April
2018.

The physical volume of exports of
fruit and vegetable products exceeded 292,100 tonnes, or increased, compared to
the same period last year, by 83.2%.

Six of these projects have been developed with the participation of
Turkish companies and entrepreneurs.

“Currently, in Urgut, high-quality
carpets and carpet products are made with Turkish entrepreneurs,” said K.
Asrorov, head of Urgaz Carpet JV. “The carpets produced by us under the URGAZ
brand have a demand not only in the domestic market, but also abroad. Taking
into account the wide opportunities and benefits provided by our state together
with Turkish businessmen, we want to organize a carpet factory in the Urgut
Free Economic Zone. As a result of this project, will be annually produced
carpets worth total $ 26 million and other products for $ 28 million, which
will create 230 permanent jobs. Currently, we are carrying out construction
works on the allocated territory on the Mergancha quarter of the Urgut
district. In some buildings, works began on the design and installation of
equipment. We plan to start production in the fourth quarter of this year.”

Another promising project,
implemented in the free economic zone, is an enterprise for the production of
paints for light industry goods; it is also created jointly with the Turkish
firm TCD TEKSTIL SANAYI VE TICARET A.S.

“There is much experience in the
production of paints for industry in Turkey,” says JasurSoliev, head of
the joint venture SAM VIRA COLOR. “And we currently have a great need for such
products. Therefore, together with the businessmen of Turkey, we are
creating a joint venture in the Urgut Free Economic Zone. The total cost of the
project is $ 2.5 million, of which $ 250,000 is the share of foreign partners.
Currently, construction is underway. We will soon begin to manufacture
products.”

In addition, in the free economic
zone, in cooperation with Turkish businesspeople, promising projects for the
production of gas stoves and electric ovens, modern vacuum cleaners and washing
machines, children’s pampers, sandwich panels are being implemented.

On May 11, a joint meeting of the
ministries of internal affairs of the Republic
of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan
was held in the city of Samarkand.

The Minister of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan Kalmukhanbet Kasymov
noted that close cooperation in the system of internal affairs bodies will
promote the accelerated development of trade and economic ties between the
countries, strengthening friendly relations between people.

During the meeting, information was given on activities carried out in
the system, counteracting crime and offenses, ensuring public safety. Views
were exchanged on expansion of interaction between the ministries of internal
affairs in the fight against cross-border crimes and conduction of joint
operational-investigative measures, countering terrorism and extremism.

– The joint meeting became an important step in continuing mutual
cooperation at a new stage, – said Kalmukhanbet Kasymov. – During the meeting,
an agreement was reached between our ministries on operational search,
combating crime, mutual exchange of information and on many other issues.

On May 12, 2018, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Abdulaziz Kamilov met with the commander of U.S. Central
Command, General Joseph Leonard Votel.

Issues of Uzbekistan – American relations
were discussed during the conversation. General Joseph Leonard Votel expressed
his satisfaction with the meeting with the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat
Mirziyoyev, which allowed to discuss in detail the actual aspects of bilateral
agenda.

The sides exchanged views on
international and regional issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs meeting.

Special attention was paid to the
situation in Afghanistan.
As the American general noted, the "Tashkent Process", which was
launched during the preparation and holding of the High Level International
Conference on Afghanistan
on March 26-27, is of great importance for solution of the Afghan problem.

On May 10, 2018, the delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan led by the
Special Representative of the President for Afghanistan Ismatulla Irgashev held
meetings and negotiations with the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of
Defense of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs Ali Sulaiman Al-Sayyid, in Kuwait.

The sides discussed key issues on
bilateral agenda.

Heads of Kuwait expressed support for a
far-sighted foreign and internal political policy of the President of
Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and highly appreciated the socio-economic reforms
undertaken under his leadership.

Mutual interest in further
development of cooperation has been confirmed. As it was emphasized, Kuwait companies are ready to invest in various
spheres of economy of Uzbekistan.
In this regard the organization of the first meeting of Intergovernmental
commission on trade-economic and scientific-technical cooperation in July, 2018
in Tashkent and opening direct flights between Kuwait and Uzbekistan is important.

Kuwait side noted with appreciation the
decision of the Government of Uzbekistan on applying simplified visa procedures
for Kuwait
citizens.

At the meetings, specific areas of
cooperation in cultural and humanitarian sphere, the prospects for training
representatives of Uzbekistan
in the Language Center
at Kuwait University,
as well as direction of teachers of Arabic for teaching in educational
institutions of Uzbekistan
were also discussed.

(Source: Press Service of the MFA of
the Republic of Uzbekistan)

Uzbekistan delegation to visit Georgia

Delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan led by the Minister of Foreign
Trade Jamshid Khodjayev will take part in the eighth meeting of the
Intergovernmental Uzbek-Georgian Commission on Economic Cooperation, which will
be held on May 14-15, 2018, in Tbilisi.

During the meeting it is planned to
discuss practical aspects of further expansion of trade, economic, investment
cooperation, as well as interaction in the field of transport, transit, tourism
and other issues on the agenda.

A business forum will be also held
within the framework of this event.

Uzbekistan: Return of the National Hero

The monument to the hero of the
Second World War, Major-General Sobir Rahimov, has returned to the square in
front of the hokimiyat of the Almazar district in Tashkent at the proposal of the head of our
state. As Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized, it is necessary to do this to restore
historical justice.

Worth recalling that the monument to Sobir Rahimov in the winter of 2011
was moved to the GafurGulyam Park in Tashkent.
At the same time, the metropolitan district, formerly known as Sabir-Rahimov,
was renamed as Almazar. A similar fate befell the metro station, which bore the
name of the commander. The initiators of such toponymic ‘reform’ justified the
expediency of renaming by the fact that the name of Almazar (Apple Garden) was
once called one of the four districts of Tashkent, located in the north-western
part of the city in the second half of the 18th century.

In those days, various publications, especially on the internet, filled
with outrageous articles about this. “Forgive me, General”, “What prompted the
sacrilege”, “The death sentence on the general” are just some of the screaming
headlines of that time.

Who is Sobir Rahimov? Undoubtedly, this is the national hero of Uzbekistan.
This is a man covered with legends. It should be noted that Sobir Rahimov was
the only Uzbek general during the Second World War. The chief of all peoples of
the USSR
respectfully called him “the iron general”. In his honorUzbekfilm shot a
historical motion picture. And, of course, it is a pity that today’s young
people know not so much about this legendary Uzbek general...

Sobir Rahimov came to this world to become a hero. Even the date of his
birth was significant: he was born in Tashkent
on the first day of the new, 20th century. His childhood was difficult,
however, like all his peers in pre-revolutionary Turkestan.
He experienced both a sheltered life, and work at a bai farmhand. But all his
thoughts were about one thing - to become a military man.

And in 1922 the army way of this great man began. After graduating from
military studies, the future general was asked to go to Uzbekistan,
where the basmachi then worked. In bloody battles Rahimov was repeatedly
injured, but, barely recovered, again went into battle. He was completely
captured by the revolutionary romance of those days, the fearless apologist of
which became the violent red commander Rahimov. His first military award - the
Order of the Red Star - he got for taking part in battles with the Basmachi.
Throughout Central Asia - from the gray
Caspian to the high-altitude Garm - the cavalrymen of the brave military
commander Rahimov triumphed victoriously.

From the first days of the Great Patriotic War, Major Sobir Rahimov - in
the army, on the front line. And a month later in the battles for Smolensk, he was
seriously wounded. In October, he returned to service as commander of the
infantry regiment of the 56th Army. At the beginning of 1942, Sobir Rahimova
wounded again, and then contused. In May, the command appointed Rahimov deputy
commander of the rifle division. And on August 1, 1943, for the faultless
military service, personal courage and skilful command of the troops, he was
given the rank of Major-General.

The Iron General was offered to go to Moscow to study at the Academy of the General
Staff. After school, he returned to the army in force - there were heavy
fighting for Poland.
Here is how Ivan Fedyuninsky, Commander of the 2nd Shock Army, recalls him:

“Under the old cavalry habit, General Rahimov always was in the most
difficult places, raised the Red Army to attack, and participated in them. Once
he introduced me to how the defense of the enemy was built in Graudenz. This
ancient Polish city with a fortress on the northern outskirts represented a
sturdy stronghold. On the approaches to it, the Nazis for several years created
a variety of defensive structures.

Before the division, Rahimovwas tasked with mastering the city of Graudenz and entering the west bank of the Vistula,
pursuing the enemy on the west bank of the Vistula.
I considered that such a task for General Rahimov’s division would not be
possible. It was small; its staff was tired of the previous long battles.
Therefore, I felt it necessary to change its task: to actively influence the
enemy by all means of fire and, in the event of his departure from Graudenz, to
go on a decisive offensive and completely clear the bridgehead on the eastern
bank of the Vistula
River.

Guardsmen Rahimov several times broke into the city, but, meeting strong
resistance from the enemy, they withdrew to the outskirts. The general, flushed
with fighting, was in one or another regiment.

Still, fighters Sobir Rahimov honorably fulfilled their task - the fate
of the city was resolved. More than 4,100 enemy soldiers and officers were
taken prisoner, huge stocks of shells, mines, cartridges, food were captured.”

...March 20, 1945, just a month and a half before the Great Victory,
liberating the brotherly Poland,
near Gdansk,
Major-General Sobir Rahimov fell with the death of the brave. For courage and
daring, he was awarded posthumously the title of Hero of the Soviet
Union.